12 Common Courtesy for Kids that Parents Must Teach

What Good Habits Will You Inculcate to Your Kids?

Your children are never too young to learn good manners. Actually, in today’s world where we are seeing more and more younglings exhibiting misbehavior and bad manners, it seems more important now for parents to start teaching courtesy to their children as early as possible.

The following are the common forms of courtesy that you must impart to your children:

#1 Magic Words: “Please” and “Thank you”

According to the well-loved Barney the purple dinosaur, these are magic words. Developing good breeding starts with learning when to say “please” and “thank you.”[click to tweet]

Teach your child to say “please” every time he/she needs a favor and to say “thank you” every time a favor is done for him/her.

#2 Good table manners

Good manners extend to the dining area as well. It is important to teach your kids the following table etiquette:

Wash your hands before eating

Keep your mouth closed as you chew

Don’t talk when your mouth is full

Place the table napkin on your lap

Wipe your mouth with the napkin

When your kids practice these at home, they will know how to act appropriately when you bring them with you at dinners and gatherings.

#3 Ask before you take

When a kid takes something from another kid without any permission at all, it can create conflict – not only between the younglings, but between the parents as well. Teach your kids to ask before taking something that isn’t theirs. The lack of knowledge of this etiquette may result in bigger problems, such as theft, as your kid becomes older.

#4 Knock before entering

One way of being polite is by knocking on the door before entering a room. Whether it is the bedroom, bathroom, or any other room in your home or in other places, your kid must learn how to knock.

#5 Say sorry because you mean it

These days, the word “sorry” is spoken by a lot of people without actually meaning it. The best way to instill empathy and sincerity into your child is by teaching him/her how to say “sorry” when he/she truly feels sorry.

#6 Don’t point at people

When you were a kid, your parents probably told you that when you point your finger at a person, your other three fingers are pointing back at you. Pass this wisdom to your kids too. In many cultures, just like in America and Europe, pointing a finger at someone is considered as a rude gesture because it hints superiority over someone.

#7 Cover the mouth when sneezing or coughing

Covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing isn’t only a form of good manners, but it also promotes good hygiene as it inhibits bacteria from spreading and infecting other people. Teach your children this kind of manner as early as possible, even before he/she starts going to school.

#8 “Excuse me”

Kids are impatient by nature. If they need something from you, they’ll ask for it right there and then, even when you’re in the middle of something. You may have noticed some kids interrupt their parent’s conversation with other people, calling out to the mother or father repeatedly, and in return, the parent gets angry at the kid for doing so. Refine your kid’s upbringing by teaching him/her how to say “excuse me.”

#9 “Hello” and “Goodbye”

Teaching kids social graces such as “hello” and “goodbye” is not only a way to develop respect and good manners, but a way to develop their social skills. It encourages them to talk and recognize other people’s presence.

#10 Address people with their real names or nicknames.

Calling others mean names is already an act of bullying, and when this act gets worse, a simple act may lead to physical violence. Instill in your kid that when speaking with others, address them using their real names, whether at school, home, or anywhere. You may tell them to use nicknames when and only if they are given nicknames. Of course, you have to lead by example.

#11 Listen when someone is speaking.

Teach your kids to never interrupt when someone is talking, to listen patiently and wait for their turn to talk. Yawning and loud burping are unpleasant habits that should be avoided when someone is talking. Teach your kids that butting into a conversation is an offensive behavior.

#12 Greet otherswith a smile.

This may seem a little bit of a cliché, but a simple smile can brighten up the mood of those people around you. Practicing how to smile often when interacting with others can make a huge difference.

Once someone asks for a favor, do it without that grumpy face. Instead, smile and the whole world will smile back at you.

Practice what you preach. You will be more effective in imparting good manners and right conduct on your kids if they see that you are applying these to yourself as well.

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